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Original poster

Those who can’t wear masks

47 replies

Duvetdweller · 04/04/2021 19:11

This is an absolutely genuine scenario and I’d love to get some advice on how to handle it. My dd works in a very busy takeaway. The owners have put screens up and a one way system, 2 in the shop at a time. If someone comes in without wearing a mask they offer one for free or ask to see a card if they say they are exempt. This is because if they don’t ask to see a card, mask wearing customers kick off about it. The owner has had a lengthy complaint sent in about my dd asking a customer to wear a mask and the customer saying they had an exemption card but didn’t show it because how dare she ask?
The owners have told dd not to worry about but she is 16 and genuinely doesn’t know what she has done wrong. Neither do I, can anyone help?

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 04/04/2021 19:13

There is no "exemption card". If someone says "I am exempt" when challenged, that is that. This is in the Gov guidelines.

Rillington · 04/04/2021 19:19

There is no such card. She shouldn't be asking for proof of exemption.

LangClegsInSpace · 04/04/2021 19:21

There are no exemption cards that can't just be printed off by anybody. The government has said that nobody who is exempt from wearing a mask should be routinely required to provide written evidence and this includes exemption cards.

Your DD's employer should not be requiring employees to ask to see an exemption card because it proves nothing, the government has said they are not required and it potentially places employees in a conflict situation with customers.

Original poster
Duvetdweller · 04/04/2021 19:22

Ok - that’s useful to know. I feel sorry for them as there are so many people clearly taking the piss not wearing masks and claiming exemption.
They then get it in the neck from other customers wanting the staff to adhere to the rules.

OP posts:
Original poster
Duvetdweller · 04/04/2021 19:23

It does @LangClegsInSpace - normally from mask wearing customers kicking off about other people not wearing masks!!

OP posts:
uhtredsonofuhtred1 · 04/04/2021 19:24

How do you know they're taking the piss though? Just because someone doesn't "look" disabled or like they've got a health condition it doesn't mean that they don't.

MercyBooth · 04/04/2021 19:25

Like this guy @Duvetdweller ?

XenoBitch · 04/04/2021 19:27

@Duvetdweller

It does *@LangClegsInSpace* - normally from mask wearing customers kicking off about other people not wearing masks!!
Then the customers that are kicking off need to be told that they are not the mask police and it is none of their damn business.
LangClegsInSpace · 04/04/2021 19:27

If there are only two customers allowed in at a time how often is this happening really? If someone was bothered, why would they not just wait outside until the non-mask-wearer had left?

Original poster
Duvetdweller · 04/04/2021 19:28

No I’m talking about 2 or 3 builders coming in altogether from the same company and all claiming to be exempt

OP posts:
Original poster
Duvetdweller · 04/04/2021 19:29

@XenoBitch - yes I get that but when it’s a kid just trying to earn a bit of pocket money it seems like a big ask

OP posts:
LangClegsInSpace · 04/04/2021 19:32

They then get it in the neck from other customers wanting the staff to adhere to the rules.

Businesses should be reminding customers to wear a mask and it's great if a business is providing masks for those who have forgotten to bring one. If a customer says 'I'm exempt' then that should be the end of it because those are the rules.

LangClegsInSpace · 04/04/2021 19:33

@Duvetdweller

No I’m talking about 2 or 3 builders coming in altogether from the same company and all claiming to be exempt
Who else is in there at the same time to complain then and why are they allowing 3 in?
Original poster
Duvetdweller · 04/04/2021 19:35

The staff?!!

OP posts:
TheOneWithTheBigNose · 04/04/2021 19:35

[quote Duvetdweller]@XenoBitch - yes I get that but when it’s a kid just trying to earn a bit of pocket money it seems like a big ask[/quote]
No more of as ask than her requesting an exemption card, surely?
She just needs to say ‘customers don’t legally need to prove exemption’.

Original poster
Duvetdweller · 04/04/2021 19:37

Because when you’ve got 3 builders reusing to stick to the rules it seems unfair for a 16 year old to have to try and implement them.

OP posts:
LangClegsInSpace · 04/04/2021 19:37

@Duvetdweller

The staff?!!
Your OP is about a customer complaint.
Rillington · 04/04/2021 19:38

The owners need to be made aware that any staff cannot ask for proof of exemption.

Skinnytailedsquirrel · 04/04/2021 19:40

I find it incredible to think that someone would be unable to wear a mask for the few minutes they are going in to a shop.

The people that say "I'm exempt" in these situations are selfish arseholes.

TheOneWithTheBigNose · 04/04/2021 19:40

@Duvetdweller

Because when you’ve got 3 builders reusing to stick to the rules it seems unfair for a 16 year old to have to try and implement them.
Well... she doesn’t have to. She can ask them to wear a mask, if they say they’re exempt then that’s that really.
TheOneWithTheBigNose · 04/04/2021 19:42

But surely if you’ve got 3 builders in at the same time (or is it 2 people at a time as per your OP?) there won’t be any other customers in to complain, will there?

XenoBitch · 04/04/2021 19:43

[quote Duvetdweller]@XenoBitch - yes I get that but when it’s a kid just trying to earn a bit of pocket money it seems like a big ask[/quote]
That sounds difficult or your daughter. It has indeed been hard for anyone who works in retail/hospitality who has suddenly found themselves with this extra responsibility.. one that can cause conflict. It is well above the paygrade and training of most people in retail.
Some supermarkets have a regular tannoy announcement about the rules, and also a reminder to shoppers that some people are unable to wear a mask. Maybe a simple sign up saying similar would help?

Original poster
Duvetdweller · 04/04/2021 19:44

No you’re right @TheOneWithTheBigNose - i do feel for the staff though having to ask though as they are being exposed

OP posts:
rizzo23 · 04/04/2021 19:44

I feel for your daughter. We've had this for a long time in retail and your damned if you do and damned if you don't. Tell her don't take it personally, easier said than done I know but she's done nothing wrong.

Original poster
Duvetdweller · 04/04/2021 19:45

They have signs @XenoBitch - people are very rude to retail/hospitality staff, it’s been difficult

OP posts:
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